Abingdon, VA, September 7, 2025
News Summary
The community of Abingdon, Virginia, is mourning the loss of four beloved residents: Karen Rose ‘Kay’ Kirkpatrick, Mark Randall Kuhn, Charlie Evans Street, and Donald West Ayers. Each of these individuals made significant contributions to their families and the community, which will be cherished and remembered. Memorial services are planned to honor their legacies and the impact they had on those around them.
Abingdon, VA – The community of Abingdon, Virginia, is mourning the loss of four cherished residents who have recently passed away. Their contributions to family, friends, and the broader community will be remembered with love and respect.
Karen Rose “Kay” Kirkpatrick
Age: 85
Date of Passing: September 6, 2025
Place of Birth: Meadow Bridge, West Virginia
Karen Rose “Kay” Kirkpatrick, the youngest of six siblings, was a beloved daughter of the late John and Charity Lemon. She is preceded in death by her husband, Hobert Kirkpatrick, her son Greg, and all five of her siblings. Survived by her daughters Denise Davidson, Lynn Orfield, and Bryan Kirkpatrick (Ginger), her legacy includes nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Kirkpatrick was a longtime member of the Gospel Tabernacle Church in Abingdon and resided at American House Assisted Living in Bristol, Tennessee. A graveside service is scheduled for September 10, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. at KnollKreg Memorial Park, with Reverend David Robbins officiating and special music from Rickey Brown and Rick Wyatt. Memorial contributions may be made to Gentiva Hospice.
Mark Randall Kuhn
Age: 68
Date of Passing: September 4, 2025
Place of Birth: Oakmont, West Virginia
Mark Randall Kuhn, a dedicated Army veteran, served in the 82nd Airborne Division after joining at age 17. He worked for Dominion Energy for 47 years, relocating to Abingdon in 2016 as Station Director. A NASCAR enthusiast and lover of camping, Kuhn is survived by his devoted wife of 28 years, Dawn Marie Savage Kuhn, as well as children Jeffrey, Jessica, Nikki, siblings, grandchildren, and a pet kitty named Louie. A private memorial service with military rites is planned.
Charlie Evans Street
Born: June 2, 1922
Date of Passing: June 12, 2025
Age: 103
Charlie Evans Street, a native of Buchanan County, VA, lived in Abingdon for 46 years. He was a proud U.S. Army veteran who served in the Battle of Guadalcanal during WWII. After serving his country, he worked as a coal miner for 35 years. Charlie was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy Mae Street, and his parents, Rit and Lou Arms Street. He is survived by three daughters—Brenda and Betty Jo Street of Abingdon, VA—and a beloved canine daughter, Mandy.
A visitation is scheduled on June 16, 2025, from 1-2 p.m. at Farris Funeral Service, followed by funeral services at 2 p.m. Military rites will be conducted by the Highlands Veterans Honor Guard and Virginia Army National Guard. Contributions in lieu of flowers are encouraged to be made to the Highlands Fellowship Food Pantry.
Donald West Ayers
Age: 86
Date of Passing: June 22, 2025
Date of Birth: October 9, 1938, in Floyd County, VA
Donald West Ayers joined the Army after graduation, serving as a military policeman. He had a notable career as a Virginia State Trooper for nearly two decades before working in loss prevention at KVAT (Food City) for over 20 years. Ayers is preceded in death by his wife, Ruby Wilson Ayers, brothers Ellis and Thomas Ayers, and a cat named Tiger. He is survived by daughters Colleen Welch and Renna Warren, grandsons Samuel and Luke Warren, sisters, and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation is set for June 29, 2025, from 2-3 p.m. in the Forest Hills Chapel of Farris Funeral Service, with the funeral following at 3 p.m. Military rites will be conducted by the Highlands Veterans Honor Guard and Virginia Army National Guard. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Tunnels to Towers Foundation.
Conclusion
These four individuals have left a lasting impact on their families and the Abingdon community. Their legacies will continue through the lives they touched and the memories shared.
FAQ
Who were the four residents of Abingdon, VA that recently passed away?
The residents are Karen Rose “Kay” Kirkpatrick, Mark Randall Kuhn, Charlie Evans Street, and Donald West Ayers.
What were the ages of the individuals when they passed away?
The ages were 85 for Karen Kirkpatrick, 68 for Mark Kuhn, 103 for Charlie Street, and 86 for Donald Ayers.
What contributions did these individuals make to their community?
Each of the deceased contributed to their community through military service, family bonds, and participation in local organizations such as churches and food pantries.
When are the memorial services for each individual?
Kirkpatrick’s service is on September 10, 2025; Kuhn’s memorial will be private; Street’s visitation and service are on June 16, 2025; Ayers’s visitation is on June 29, 2025, with the service following.
Key Features of the Residents
| Name | Age | Date of Passing | Key Contributions | Survived By |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Karen Rose “Kay” Kirkpatrick | 85 | September 6, 2025 | Member of Gospel Tabernacle Church, family matriarch | Daughters, grandchildren, great-grandchildren |
| Mark Randall Kuhn | 68 | September 4, 2025 | U.S. Army veteran, leader at Dominion Energy | Wife, children, grandchildren, pet |
| Charlie Evans Street | 103 | June 12, 2025 | Army veteran, coal miner | Daughters, beloved canine |
| Donald West Ayers | 86 | June 22, 2025 | Virginia State Trooper, active community member | Daughters, grandsons, siblings |
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Additional Resources
- Farris Funeral Service: Mark Kuhn
- Wikipedia: Mark Randall Kuhn
- Legacy: Peggy Long
- Google Search: Peggy Long Obituary
- Farris Funeral Service: Charlie Street
- Google Scholar: Charlie Evans Street
- Legacy: Barbara Kling
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Barbara Kling Obituary
- Farris Funeral Service: Donald Ayers
- Google News: Donald West Ayers
Author: STAFF HERE BRISTOL WRITTER
The BRISTOL STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBristol.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Bristol, Sullivan County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion, NASCAR races at Bristol Motor Speedway, Border Bash concert series, and the Hot Bristol Night Car Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Bristol Chamber of Commerce, Believe in Bristol, and the Birthplace of Country Music, plus leading businesses in healthcare, manufacturing, and entertainment that power the local economy such as Ballad Health, Strongwell, and Bristol Motor Speedway. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREChattanooga.com, HEREKnoxville.com, HEREMemphis.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.
